Among the Cowboys that would be provided the opportunity to sign with any team would be left tackle Doug Free and defensive ends Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen.

In March, the Cowboys made bids to keep all three players, who were restricted free agents under the terms of the old CBA. The Cowboys offered Free a first- and third-round tender that would pay him approximately $3.5 million next season. Bowen and Hatcher, meanwhile, received second-round tenders worth $1.934 million.

Keeping the 27-year-old Free was identified by Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones as one of the team’s top objectives before the draft. Free’s value skyrocketed after being thrust into a starting role at left tackle and excelling. He allowed only five sacks and was rated as one of the best pass blockers in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.

“We want to sign Doug back,” Jones said in April. “We think he is a very productive offensive tackle for us and he’ll be our No. 1 priority when things start up.”

But owner Jerry Jones acknowledged that they were aware that Free’s situation was fluid.

“Under one set of circumstances we’ve got to sign Free,” he said. “Under another set we may not be able to keep him. We’ll see where we are.”

Like Free, Hatcher and Bowen are players the Cowboys want to retain. The depth at defensive end is a concern as Igor Olshansky is the only starter under contract. Marcus Spears is an unrestricted free agent and both Hatcher and Bowen could achieve similar status if the proposed CBA is enacted.

If Bowen, Hatcher and Free are allowed to explore the market, the Cowboys’ financial flexibility could be reduced, and in turn so could their ability to pursue other free agents. While all three players have worked out with their Cowboys teammates during the offseason — indicating through their actions that they are, at the very least, entertaining the idea of returning to Dallas next season — the proposed CBA could change their outlook.

In any event, the Cowboys better start preparing for worst-case scenarios and formulating their contingency plans.